"The regional data protection authority in Hamburg has imposed an administrative fine of 35 million euros. The H&M group admits shortcomings at the service centre and has taken forceful measures to correct this," it said in its June-August earnings report.

German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung last year reported that the State Data Protection Commissioner in Hamburg had launched a probe into H&M management unlawfully sounding out workers about their personal life and storing the details.

According to the paper, H&M collected information on illnesses and other personal circumstances of employees at the centre. H&M said in January the breaches found were unacceptable and it was cooperating with the authorities.

($1 = 0.8518 euros)

(Reporting by Anna Ringstrom; editing by David Evans)